Two glider planes collided in mid-air on Friday afternoon in upstate New York. One pilot died at the crash site, while the other landed safely with no injuries.
Key Facts
The collision happened around 2:26 p.m. on Friday.
The crash occurred near Sand Lake Road in Edinburg, Saratoga County, New York.
One glider landed safely at Plateau Sky Ranch Airport, and its pilot was unharmed.
The other glider’s pilot was alone in the aircraft and was found dead at the crash site.
Police and investigators responded to the incident and found debris in a remote area.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are involved in the ongoing investigation.
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After a very hot summer with record heat and dry conditions, southern England and Wales are starting to see rain again, which is helping grass and plants grow back. Despite some improvement, parts of the UK are still officially in drought, and low water levels persist.
Key Facts
This summer was the hottest ever recorded in the UK, causing severe dry conditions and brown landscapes.
Large parts of southern England and Wales remain in official drought status.
The drought led to damaged grass in parks and a decrease in visitors and outdoor activities.
Grass is regrowing now due to the recent rain and its ability to recover after heat stress.
In Wales, drought and wildfires caused harm to agriculture, including thin cattle and stressed animals.
The UK government has pledged £100 million to improve response to extreme weather and wildfires.
Activists say prevention is also needed, not just more emergency resources.
Groundwater and reservoir levels are still low, so water-saving measures continue to be important.
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The Liberal Democrats are preparing a new plan for a possible early election, aiming to stop a Reform Party government. Party leader Ed Davey says it is important to stay focused and ready, expecting the party to win more seats than in 2024.
Key Facts
The Liberal Democrats are working on a new election manifesto just in case a snap election is called.
Ed Davey understands some MPs are frustrated with the party’s slow progress and lack of public attention.
The party wants to block a Reform Party-led government, which may ally with Nigel Farage’s party.
The Lib Dems won 72 seats in 2024, their best result in 100 years, and hope to improve on that.
Their policies include trying to rejoin the EU single market and signing a Europe-wide deal on migration and asylum.
Polls show the Lib Dems at about 12-13%, fifth place after Reform, Labour, Conservatives, and the Greens.
They plan to defend seats they gained in 2024, referred to as the “orange wall,” and win more.
Ed Davey feels a moral responsibility to fight against racism and extremist views linked to some Reform supporters.
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Russia held parliamentary elections during an ongoing conflict, with the government working to ensure high voter participation. While outside observers often see these elections as controlled performances with predetermined results, the Russian leadership linked election outcomes to future political and foreign policy directions.
Key Facts
Russia’s parliamentary elections took place amid a large-scale military conflict.
The government encouraged voter turnout and political activity before the elections.
Financial incentives and postponement of unpopular decisions were used to influence public opinion.
Many outsiders believe the election results were pre-set by Kremlin strategists.
The elections were seen by some as a way to strengthen the Russian leadership’s position.
Ukraine postponed its 2024 presidential election until after the conflict ends, unlike Russia.
Russia’s foreign partners typically do not prioritize Western concepts of democracy.
The elections sparked debate about the true impact on Russia’s political future and policy choices.
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Cuba experienced a total blackout on September 18, 2026, after its electrical grid failed due to issues in high-voltage transmission lines. The blackout happened during ongoing U.S. fuel restrictions that have worsened Cuba’s power supply problems.
Key Facts
Cuba’s national electrical grid collapsed completely on September 18, 2026, causing a nationwide blackout.
The blackout started around 2 pm local time due to a failure in high-voltage transmission lines in central Cuba.
Power was gradually restored to some areas, mainly hospitals, but much of Havana stayed without electricity by evening.
This was at least the sixth partial or full blackout in Cuba since January 2026.
Cuba’s power problems are linked to aging infrastructure and fuel shortages worsened by a U.S. oil blockade.
The U.S. fuel blockade began in January 2026 and has heavily limited oil supplies to Cuba.
The U.N. has criticized the U.S. blockade, calling it a violation of international law and warning of severe humanitarian impacts.
The blackout reflects ongoing challenges in Cuba’s energy sector combined with external economic pressures.
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The United States is considering reducing its military forces in Europe because some European allies refused to let the US use their airbases for actions against Iran. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reviewing options that could cut US troops by up to one-third or more in Europe, mainly in Germany, Italy, and Spain. A final decision is expected by early November.
Key Facts
The US has about 68,000 troops stationed in Europe, with many in Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Some European countries denied the US access to their airbases for attacks on Iran, leading to tensions.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized these allies for risking American soldiers by refusing access.
One plan is to remove about one-third of US troops from Europe; another suggests withdrawing 40,000 troops plus equipment.
Troops might be moved from central/western Europe to NATO’s eastern border near Russia.
About half of the 2,000 US troops in Romania have already left, and about 5,000 are withdrawing from Germany.
Germany’s leader criticized the US war on Iran, and President Trump proposed even bigger withdrawals last year.
A US military pullback could reduce America’s nuclear deterrent in Europe, potentially benefiting Russia according to experts.
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Warmer temperatures in the West Midlands have led to more sightings of insects like the hummingbird hawk moth, ivy bees, and the wasp spider. These species, some coming from southern Europe and other regions, are becoming more common as the climate changes.
Key Facts
The hummingbird hawk moth migrates from southern Europe and North Africa in summer and was seen in record numbers in 2026 in the West Midlands.
Ivy bees, first found in the UK in 2001, have spread further north, including parts of the Midlands since 2015.
The clouded yellow butterfly, a European migrant, is appearing more often during hot summers and may become a permanent resident if the climate warms further.
Species usually found in southern England, like the hornet hoverfly and the cricket bat spider, are now more common in the Midlands.
The wasp spider, one of the UK’s largest spiders, has been spotted over 100 miles from its typical habitat due to rising temperatures.
Wildlife groups in Worcestershire are tracking new species moving north, such as the willow emerald damselfly, southern oak bush cricket, and purple emperor butterfly.
Changes in insect and spider populations are linked to ongoing climate change and warming weather in the UK.
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Brazilian police arrested Jorlan Lopes da Silva, who confessed to killing 80 people. He was caught trying to escape while wearing a wig and holding a baby. Police plan to reopen many cases linked to him.
Key Facts
The arrest happened in Paraiba State, in northeast Brazil.
The suspect disguised himself as a woman during the arrest.
Jorlan Lopes da Silva is 33 years old.
He admitted to killing 80 people.
Police will review and reopen many related murder cases.
The suspect was trying to flee when captured.
He was holding a baby at the time of arrest.
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A Russian glide bomb struck an apartment building in Sumy, Ukraine, killing at least two people and injuring seven. Meanwhile, Russia held a parliamentary vote in territories it controls after annexing them from Ukraine, a move condemned as illegal by Ukraine and the European Union.
Key Facts
At least two people died and seven were injured when a Russian glide bomb hit an apartment building in Sumy, Ukraine.
The bomb caused damage across three floors of the building.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the attack "absolutely inhuman."
Russian forces also attacked a clinic in Pavlohrad and a logistics center outside Kyiv.
Russia held parliamentary elections including residents in illegally annexed Ukrainian regions.
Ukraine and the EU condemned the Russian elections as illegal and said residents were pressured to vote.
The US approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine to improve air defense systems.
The EU criticized Russia’s controlled elections and France increased protection against Russian hybrid attacks.
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Indonesian divers have started recovering bodies from a passenger ferry that capsized in the Java Sea. After five days of difficult rescue work due to rough seas, authorities are now trying to right the ship to aid in the recovery of missing people.
Key Facts
The passenger ferry capsized in bad weather in the Java Sea early Sunday.
The ship was carrying 243 people traveling between Surabaya and Banjarmasin.
So far, nine people have been confirmed dead, 108 survivors rescued, and 126 people remain missing.
Rough seas and strong currents delayed rescue efforts for five days.
Divers have entered the ferry and found three bodies so far.
The ship’s owner is leading the salvage operation with help from navy, rescue agency, and maritime police.
The plan is to tow the ferry to shallower water and then right it to make body recovery safer.
Indonesia relies on ferries for travel between its many islands because it is cheaper and easier than flying.
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The documentary NAZA, about Israeli military operations in Gaza, received a 25-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival. In Israel, the film sparked strong backlash from right-wing politicians and groups who accused the filmmakers of betrayal and threatened them with violence.
Key Facts
NAZA is a documentary made by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor about Israeli military actions in Gaza.
The film uses anonymous testimonies from Israeli soldiers to show how civilians are targeted in nighttime strikes.
It received a 25-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival.
The documentary will open in US cinemas on 30 September, with plans for wider international release.
In Israel, right-wing politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, called the film-makers traitors and proposed laws to punish those who criticize the military.
Far-right protesters threatened the filmmakers and demanded harsh punishments, including the death penalty.
Human rights and press freedom groups defended the filmmakers against these threats.
The controversy highlights deep political divisions in Israel over the war in Gaza and freedom of speech.
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A 19-year-old asylum seeker from South Sudan was sentenced to over two years in a UK prison for steering an overcrowded boat across the English Channel. The case is part of a new UK law aimed at punishing people who pilot boats that put migrants' lives at risk during crossings.
Key Facts
Chan Mathok Atak, aged 19, was jailed for two years and three months at Canterbury Crown Court.
He admitted to endangering others by steering a 14-metre dinghy with 165 people onboard, including 31 children.
The boat had one working engine, no navigation or first-aid equipment, and was taking in water before border authorities intercepted it.
The incident happened on July 23, 2026, and was the largest single small boat crossing at that time.
The UK law targeting boat pilots was introduced in January 2026 to stop dangerous Channel crossings.
Atak’s lawyer said there was no evidence he caused the overcrowding or lack of safety gear.
The UK government is using these prosecutions to reduce migrant crossings and warn others against risking lives on small boats.
Protests have occurred in southern England in response to migrant boat arrivals, even as crossings have slightly decreased in 2026 compared to 2025.
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Japan now has over 100,000 people aged 100 or older, the highest number ever recorded. The country is facing a big challenge because its population is getting older quickly while fewer babies are being born.
Key Facts
There are 107,677 centenarians (people aged 100 or older) in Japan in 2026, up from the previous year.
Almost 88% of these centenarians are women.
About 30% of Japan’s population will be aged 65 or older by 2070.
Japan’s population is shrinking, expected to fall from 128 million in 2008 to 87 million by 2070.
The low birth rate in Japan is around 1.14 children per woman, much lower than the 2.1 needed to keep population stable.
Factors contributing to Japan’s longevity include a healthy diet, active lifestyle, and good health care system.
The aging population and low birth rate create economic problems like fewer workers supporting more elderly people.
Japan is trying policies to increase births, such as child allowances and better parental leave, but these haven’t yet increased birth rates.
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In August 2025, a large ice and rock mass broke off in Nepal’s Himalayas, causing massive flooding and destruction along the Lhende Khola River and reaching the Nepal-China border. The disaster killed over 1,400 people, left thousands missing, and destroyed infrastructure, highlighting challenges in warning systems for sudden mountain disasters.
Key Facts
The disaster began on August 26, 2025, with an ice-rock avalanche in Nepal’s Rasuwa district.
Floodwaters and debris traveled down the Lhende Khola River, causing destruction across Nepal and Tibet.
More than 1,400 people died, and around 6,000 were missing by mid-September 2025.
Twelve hydropower plants, roads, bridges, and homes were destroyed or damaged.
Scientists say the event’s energy was greater than the Hiroshima atomic bomb to show its force scale.
The event showed how quickly mountain hazards can trigger a chain of disasters, such as avalanches blocking rivers and causing floods.
Current early-warning systems focus on specific hazards like rainfall or lake floods, which may not detect sudden upstream triggers.
Changing climate conditions and growing development in mountain areas increase risks from such complex disasters.
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Bolivia’s Congress approved a $1.9 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help fix the country’s economic problems. The loan requires Bolivia to reduce government spending and cut fuel subsidies, which has caused protests and warnings from trade unions about higher living costs.
Key Facts
Bolivia’s Congress voted to accept a $1.9 billion loan from the IMF.
The loan aims to address a long economic crisis worsened by low natural gas production.
The government has subsidized fuel to keep prices low, draining foreign reserves.
Under the IMF deal, Bolivia must gradually remove these fuel subsidies and control spending.
Fuel prices have already been increased, with full subsidy removal planned by January.
Bolivia hopes the IMF loan will help it get an additional $5 billion from other lenders like the World Bank.
Trade unions and workers’ groups oppose the loan, fearing it will raise living costs.
Protests in Bolivia have led to road blockades and a state of emergency extended for 90 days.
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Saudi Arabia issued its first air raid alerts for Riyadh as the Houthis increased attacks and imposed a naval blockade. Explosions were heard in the capital, but authorities later said the threat was over. The conflict involves control over key shipping routes and has affected global oil markets.
Key Facts
Air raid alerts were given for Riyadh and other regions in Saudi Arabia for the first time since July.
The Houthis declared a "maritime embargo" blocking Saudi shipping routes in the Red Sea.
Explosions were reported in Riyadh, but officials said the danger had passed.
Houthis control the port city of Mokha and Perim Island, key points for shipping to Asia and Europe.
The naval blockade is a response to Saudi blockades of ports and airports in Houthi-controlled Yemen.
Saudi vessels depend on the Red Sea route after the Strait of Hormuz was closed due to conflicts involving the US and Israel with Iran.
Recent Houthi drone and missile attacks caused fires at Saudi oil facilities, temporarily stopping operations.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman requested military help from US President Donald Trump, who declined direct military involvement but offered intelligence support.
The United Nations Security Council stressed the importance of keeping shipping routes open in the Red Sea to protect global trade.
Yemen’s civil war began in 2014, leading to over 150,000 deaths and a major humanitarian crisis.
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Rita Flores, a Russian artist and former Pussy Riot member, says she was forced to work with Russia’s FSB security service for three years after threats and blackmail. She said she was ordered to spy on activists and help with plans against Kremlin opponents before escaping Russia in August.
Key Facts
Rita Flores joined Pussy Riot and was arrested several times for protests near the Kremlin.
After a police search in 2023, FSB officers pressured her to cooperate by threatening legal charges and harm to her family.
She accepted a small payment and began spying on other activists as instructed by FSB officers who managed her.
Flores described one officer as rude and threatening, while another acted friendlier and promised to "re-educate" her for a calm life.
She told about 20 people about her forced cooperation despite being told to keep it secret.
Flores left Russia in August and shared her story publicly to encourage others in similar situations.
Her account could not be independently confirmed but fits a pattern of reported FSB infiltration of opposition groups.
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North Korea rejected a United Nations nuclear watchdog’s resolution criticizing its nuclear weapons program. The country said its nuclear status cannot be reversed and accused the watchdog of unfairly targeting North Korea while ignoring nuclear activities by the United States and South Korea.
Key Facts
North Korea’s Foreign Ministry called its nuclear weapons status "irreversible" and part of its defense.
Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accused the UN watchdog of double standards.
North Korea claims the watchdog ignores U.S. and South Korean nuclear activities but targets North Korea’s program.
The recent resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was led by the U.S. and Western countries.
Kim Jong Un conducted an inspection tour of major weapons factories this week.
North Korea is reportedly improving its military with help from Russia since they signed a defense treaty in 2024.
President Donald Trump said he plans to meet Kim Jong Un this year to discuss better relations.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung confirmed that the U.S. wants dialogue with North Korea, with Seoul supporting potential talks.
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Hundreds of people gathered at the University of Cape Town in South Africa to hold a vigil for women who were killed because of their gender. This event comes amid rising anger after the bodies of nine women were found near Johannesburg in just two months.
Key Facts
The vigil took place at the University of Cape Town.
Hundreds of people attended to remember victims of femicide.
Femicide means killing women because they are women.
Nine women's bodies were found near Johannesburg within two months.
There is growing anger and concern about violence against women in South Africa.
The event highlights ongoing issues with gender-based violence in the country.
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Hundreds of Iranian women ran a 10-kilometer race in Tehran without wearing the required hijab, showing a large act of defiance against the law. At the same time, other women in the city wore hijabs and marched to support the government and its war efforts.
Key Facts
The race took place in Tehran, Iran’s capital city.
Many women ran without wearing hijabs, which is legally required in Iran.
This event is one of the biggest acts of protest since the 2022 “women, life, freedom” movement.
On the same day, other women marched in Tehran wearing hijabs.
The women who marched supported the government and its involvement in a war.
The event highlights a clear division in the city between protest and government support.
The 10-kilometer race was used by protestors to show resistance to Iran’s hijab law.
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